YMMV / The Conversion Bureau: Not Alone

• Broken Base:
  • Starman Ghost himself states Not Alone was written to set right perceived issues with certain other TCB stories. Whether or not certain story plot points are established by fiat, have or lack substance and make sense are things that have divided the readership.
  • Starman Ghost's own decision to delete the story from Fimfiction.
• Misaimed Fandom: Many readers didn't seem to quite understand this story is a Deconstruction Fic that runs on Grey-and-Gray Morality. Stand-outs include:
  • Readers who defend the humans putting ponies into internment camps. The author has said in comments that they're supposed to be an unjustified, kneejerk reaction motivated by racism and paranoia.
  • Fans who wanted to see Equestria glassed. They don't get their wish.
  • Also, readers who want to see all of humanity ponified and brought under the control of the Equestrian Diarchy. They don't get their wish either.
• Once Original, Now Common: The story is a relatively short affair compared to later deconstructionist works like The Conversion Bureau: The Other Side of the Spectrum (and its reboot SPECTRUM), the Negotiations series, or Setting it Right, but Not Alone was one of the most prominent early deconstructions of the Conversion Bureau concept that has some balance to it.
• The Woobie:
  • Poor, poor Thunderhead. Imagine if you came into being at someone else's death.
  • Andrew/Iceman as well. He's lost his best friend only to have him replaced with a crude caricature.
  • The ponies involved with the EFH as of "The Longest Day". After Bon-Bon outs them, it's decided that they have to leave Ponyville.
    • Of note are Cheerilee, who is no longer trusted to teach the town's foals, and Mayor Mare, who is removed from office.

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